A Month Before Ramadan, The Price Of Chili To Bawang Is Predicted To Increase

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) continues to monitor the price movements of a number of food commodities ahead of the fasting month or Ramadan.

The reason is, food prices are currently predicted to experience turmoil along with increasing demand.

Acting (Plt) Director General of Domestic Trade, Kasan said, food prices are predicted to increase before fasting, such as Cooking Oil, Chili to Bawang.

"(We have monitored Ramadan, in the past month, rice prices, cooking oil, chilies, and onions," he told reporters in Jakarta, Thursday, February 23.

As for rice commodities, recently the price has been creeping up. In fact, the price of premium rice has also passed the highest retail price (HET) set by the government, both in modern retail and traditional markets.

But unfortunately, Kasan was reluctant to respond when asked about the increase in rice prices. Instead of explaining, Kasan threw it at the National Food Agency (Bapanas).

"That's a question to Bakanas, there are two (rules), only from Bakanas," he explained.

Based on data released from the National Food Agency Price Panel, the price of rice with medium types has reached Rp11,830 per kilogram (kg), while the HET set by the government is Rp9,450 per kg.

Meanwhile, premium rice has reached Rp13,500 per kg, while the HET regulated is Rp12,800 per kg. Then, the average shallot is Rp36,610 per kg.

Then, the price of garlic is IDR 29.180 per kg. curly red chilies averaged IDR 43.120 per kg. Meanwhile, red cayenne pepper was IDR 58.690 per kg.

Then, the price of simple packaged cooking oil has reached Rp. 17,900 per kg. Meanwhile, the price of bulk cooking oil is Rp. 15,020 per kg.